The Energy News Digest

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

The Energy News Digest for December 10, 2025

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors The Energy News Digest.

The News Digest on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly known as Twitter) will bring breaking news throughout the week.

Joel Myer, Communicator Emeritus, edits the Energy News Digest.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

TransAlta Signs Agreement to Enable Coal to Natural Gas Conversion at Centralia Plant (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://chronline.com/stories/transalta-signs-agreement-to-enable-coal-to-natural-gas-conversion-at-centralia-plant,392439

This One Gadget Could Give China a Back Door into the U.S. Power Grid (Washington Post – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/cybersecurity/this-one-gadget-could-give-china-a-back-door-into-the-us-power-grid/ar-AA1S4l7y

Columbia River Navigators Grow Worried as Under-River Power Line Project Charges Ahead (Vancouver Columbian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.columbian.com/news/2025/dec/09/columbia-river-navigators-grow-worried-as-under-river-power-line-project-charges-ahead/

Federal Judge Throws Out Trump Order Blocking Development of Wind Energy (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/trump-wind-power-offshore-attorney-general-a8c2f1201ac6b0607e8c4a1c36e651ba

2025 Will Be World’s Second or Third-Hottest Year on Record, EU Scientists Say (Reuters – Via MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/2025-will-be-worlds-second-or-third-hottest-year-on-record-eu-scientists-say/ar-AA1RZjrH

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1. TransAlta Signs Agreement to Enable Coal to Natural Gas Conversion at Centralia Plant

2. Columbia River Navigators Grow Worried as Under-River Power Line Project Charges Ahead

3. Rising Electric Bills Lead to State Scrutiny — But Little Relief for Residents

4. Montana: State Looks to Improve Utility Relocation with New Rules

5. WA State: Tacoma Public Utility Board Members Work Without Pay. That’s About to Change

6. In 2024, Global Energy Employment Growth Outpaced Job Gains in the Wider Economy for the Third Year in a Row.

7. EIA Cuts 2026 Power Generation Forecast by More Than a Percentage Point

8. Federal Judge Throws Out Trump Order Blocking Development of Wind Energy

9. Spokane Requests Climate Exemption for Waste-to-Energy Plant to Avoid $8 Million Annual Fine, Utility Rate Hikes

10. Seminoe ‘Pumped Water Storage’ Project Draws Concern Over Threats to Fisheries, Wildlife in Central Wyoming

11. The Navajo Nation Said No to a Hydropower Project. Trump Officials Want to Ensure Tribes Can’t Do That Again.

12. 2026’s First Salmon Forecast Out: 147,300 Upriver Columbia Springers

13. Irksome, Evicted Beavers in Utah Are Getting a Second Chance

14. Portland General Electric, Tillamook Creamery Add to Eastern Oregon Nitrate Pollution, Lawsuit Says

15. Oregon: Feds Plan on Lowering Detroit Lake to Lowest Levels Ever. That Has Locals Concerned

16. Oregon: The Harney Basin Is at a Crossroads. Can It Agree on a Solution to Its Water Crisis?

17. 2025 Will Be World’s Second or Third-Hottest Year on Record, EU Scientists Say

18. 164 State Lawmakers Urge Release of Billions in Obligated Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Funds

19. This One Gadget Could Give China a Back Door into the U.S. Power Grid

20. Environmental Groups Call for a Moratorium on Data Center Construction

21. Australia Begins Enforcing World-First Teen Social Media Ban

22. U.S. Secretary of State Rubio Stages Font Coup: Times New Roman Ousts Calibri

23. Pinpoint Alert: Moderate to Heavy Rain Hits the Area, Wind Warnings in Effect

24. Atmospheric River Moves North of Willamette Valley; Gusty Winds Still a Threat

25. Editorial: Congress Must Address Sea Lions, Salmon Runs

26. Paywall Advisory: Editorial – WA Legislature Should Prioritize Fire-Resilient Communities Before Post-Destruction Fund

Word of the Day

Magus \MAY-guss\ Noun – 1a: a member of a hereditary priestly class among the ancient Medes and Persians, often capitalized: one of the traditional wise men from the East paying homage to the infant Jesus 2: magician, sorcerer.

“Do not refer to us as the information technology staff any longer,” announced the Elbonian computer technician. “We are now the Microsoft Magus (Or is it Magi), protectors of data; and miracle workers with software.”

Energy & Utility Issues

1. TransAlta Signs Agreement to Enable Coal to Natural Gas Conversion at Centralia Plant (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://chronline.com/stories/transalta-signs-agreement-to-enable-coal-to-natural-gas-conversion-at-centralia-plant,392439

2. Columbia River Navigators Grow Worried as Under-River Power Line Project Charges Ahead (Vancouver Columbian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.columbian.com/news/2025/dec/09/columbia-river-navigators-grow-worried-as-under-river-power-line-project-charges-ahead/

3. Rising Electric Bills Lead to State Scrutiny — But Little Relief for Residents (Stateline)

https://stateline.org/2025/12/10/rising-electricity-bills-lead-to-state-scrutiny-but-little-relief-for-residents/

4. Montana: State Looks to Improve Utility Relocation with New Rules (The Daily Montanan)

https://dailymontanan.com/2025/12/08/state-looks-to-improve-utility-relocation-with-new-rules/

5. WA State: Tacoma Public Utility Board Members Work Without Pay. That’s About to Change (Tacoma News-Tribune, WA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/tacoma-public-utility-board-members-131500057.html

6. In 2024, Global Energy Employment Growth Outpaced Job Gains in the Wider Economy for the Third Year in a Row. (International Energy Agency)

https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-employment-2025/executive-summary

7. EIA Cuts 2026 Power Generation Forecast by More Than a Percentage Point (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/energy-short-term-outlook-2026-load-demand-data-centers/807530/

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

8. Federal Judge Throws Out Trump Order Blocking Development of Wind Energy (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/trump-wind-power-offshore-attorney-general-a8c2f1201ac6b0607e8c4a1c36e651ba

9. Spokane Requests Climate Exemption for Waste-to-Energy Plant to Avoid $8 Million Annual Fine, Utility Rate Hikes (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_879764ec-a1a2-402b-9fc8-c724dde0bdaa.html

10. Seminoe ‘Pumped Water Storage’ Project Draws Concern Over Threats to Fisheries, Wildlife in Central Wyoming (WyoFile)

https://wyofile.com/seminoe-pumped-water-storage-project-draws-concern-over-threats-to-fisheries-wildlife-in-central-wyoming/

11. The Navajo Nation Said No to a Hydropower Project. Trump Officials Want to Ensure Tribes Can’t Do That Again. (Grist Online)

https://grist.org/indigenous/the-navajo-nation-said-no-to-a-hydropower-project-trump-officials-want-to-ensure-tribes-cant-do-that-again/

Fish & Wildlife

12. 2026’s First Salmon Forecast Out: 147,300 Upriver Columbia Springers (NW Sports Magazine)

https://nwsportsmanmag.com/2026s-first-salmon-forecast-out-147300-upriver-columbia-springers/

13. Irksome, Evicted Beavers in Utah Are Getting a Second Chance (NY Times – via DNYUZ)

https://dnyuz.com/2025/12/10/irksome-evicted-beavers-in-utah-are-getting-a-second-chance/

Environmental Afflatus – Clean Up on Aisle Three

14. Portland General Electric, Tillamook Creamery Add to Eastern Oregon Nitrate Pollution, Lawsuit Says (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2025/12/lawsuit-says-pge-tillamook-creamery-add-to-nitrate-pollution-in-eastern-oregon.html

Water, Water, Anywhere?

15. Oregon: Feds Plan on Lowering Detroit Lake to Lowest Levels Ever. That Has Locals Concerned (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/12/10/detroit-lake-lowest-levels-chinook-salmon-locals-concerned/

16. Oregon: The Harney Basin Is at a Crossroads. Can It Agree on a Solution to Its Water Crisis? (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/12/09/harney-basin-water-critical-groundwater-area-irrigators-agriculture/

Climate Change Sequestration Vault

17. 2025 Will Be World’s Second or Third-Hottest Year on Record, EU Scientists Say (Reuters – Via MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/2025-will-be-worlds-second-or-third-hottest-year-on-record-eu-scientists-say/ar-AA1RZjrH

London Calling –Telecommunications

18. 164 State Lawmakers Urge Release of Billions in Obligated Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Funds (Broadband Breakfast)

https://broadbandbreakfast.com/164-state-lawmakers-urge-release-of-billions-in-obligated-bead-funds/

The Wizarding World of Technology & Cybersecurity

19. This One Gadget Could Give China a Back Door into the U.S. Power Grid (Washington Post – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/cybersecurity/this-one-gadget-could-give-china-a-back-door-into-the-us-power-grid/ar-AA1S4l7y

20. Environmental Groups Call for a Moratorium on Data Center Construction (National Public Radio)

https://www.npr.org/2025/12/09/nx-s1-5637532/environmental-groups-call-for-a-moratorium-on-data-center-construction

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

21. Australia Begins Enforcing World-First Teen Social Media Ban (Reuters – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/australia-begins-enforcing-world-first-222554477.html

22. U.S. Secretary of State Rubio Stages Font Coup: Times New Roman Ousts Calibri (Reuters)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/rubio-stages-font-coup-times-232213759.html

Other Things to Know About Today

23. Pinpoint Alert: Moderate to Heavy Rain Hits the Area, Wind Warnings in Effect (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/pinpoint-alert-moderate-heavy-rain-hits-area-wind-warnings-effect/ELQR7UVVMBGIHA6SHY6DBLCGZQ/

24. Atmospheric River Moves North of Willamette Valley; Gusty Winds Still a Threat (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/12/10/oregon-washington-atmospheric-river-moves-north-winds/

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

25. Editorial: Congress Must Address Sea Lions, Salmon Runs (Vancouver Columbian, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.columbian.com/news/2025/dec/09/in-our-view-congress-must-address-sea-lions-salmon-runs/

26. Paywall Advisory: Editorial – WA Legislature Should Prioritize Fire-Resilient Communities Before Post-Destruction Fund (Seattle Times, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/legislature-should-prioritize-fire-resilient-communities-before-post-destruction-fund/

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Oscar Mayer’s Looking for Next Generation of Wienermobile Drivers

https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/oscar-meyers-looking-next-generation-wienermobile-drivers/HDRYIVINBNHGNCS4WKQX5ZDYH4/

Ancient Boat Unearthed Off the Coast of Egypt Believed to Be a ‘Pleasure Barge’ Fit for a King

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/ancient-egypt-pleasure-barge-9.7007794?cmp=rss

Drone Drops Steak & Crab Legs for Prisoner Feast, But South Carolina Guards Find It First

https://www.kcra.com/article/lee-correctional-drone-contraband/69672462

More Than 2,000 Golden Retrievers Chase a World Record in Buenos Aires

https://www.npr.org/2025/12/09/nx-s1-5638523/more-than-2-000-golden-retrievers-chase-a-world-record-in-buenos-aires

Song of the Day

Elmer Bernstein - Overture - The Ten Commandments (Movie Soundtrack)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fACaBe8MGQg

Links & Paywall Advisory

Links in The Energy News Digest are for current stories. Media organizations frequently update their websites, which can cause broken links.

Although I choose stories that are accessible without paying a subscription, individual experiences may vary. Media attribution includes information about possible paywall restrictions. Regularly clearing your browser’s history and cookie files may help you access some paywall sites.

Monday, December 8, 2025

The Energy News Digest for December 8, 2025

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors The Energy News Digest.

The News Digest on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly known as Twitter) will bring breaking news throughout the week.

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

Joel Myer, Communicator Emeritus, edits the Energy News Digest.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

Mass: Atmospheric River to Bring 10-15 Inches of Rain, Major Flooding to Western Washington Tuesday-Wednesday (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/kiro-radio/atmospheric-river-8/4170323

U.S. Energy Secretary Praises Hydropower, Slams Environmental Agenda ‘Climate Craziness’ (Bellingham Herald, WA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/energy-secretary-praises-hydropower-slams-021405172.html

Pacific Northwest Residents Worried About Electricity Costs More Than Climate Change, According to Recent Polling (Northwest RiverPartners)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2025/12/pacific-northwest-residents-worried.html

As Washington State’s Coal Ban Looms, Montana Wind Fills Only Some of the Energy Gap (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/as-washington-states-coal-ban-looms-montana-wind-fills-only-some-of-the-energy-gap,392328

Sea Lions Keep Eating Salmon in the Columbia River. Some Lawmakers Want to Kill More of Them (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2025/12/sea-lions-keep-eating-the-salmon-in-the-columbia-river-some-lawmakers-want-to-kill-more-of-them.html

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1. U.S. Energy Secretary Praises Hydropower, Slams Environmental Agenda ‘Climate Craziness’

2. Pacific Northwest Residents Worried About Electricity Costs More Than Climate Change, According to Recent Polling

3. PacifiCorp, Reeling from Wildfire Liabilities, Aims to Sell Power Line Stake to Related Company

4. Montana: Public Service Commission: NorthWestern Tried to Evade Scrutiny

5. Washington State Faces Two-Front Challenge to Meet Future Energy Demand

6. Delayed Heating Assistance Kicks Off a Winter of Energy Challenges

7. In the News: The Bonneville Power Administration Helps Put Electrical Grid Safety to the Test

8. Spark & Dark Spreads Indicate Improved Profitability of Natural Gas, Coal Power Plants

9. As Washington State’s Coal Ban Looms, Montana Wind Fills Only Some of the Energy Gap

10. U.S. Solar Companies Urge Congress to Address Trump’s Solar Permit Freeze

11. U.S. Added 2 GW of Solar in September, Putting 2025 Ahead of 2024 for New Solar Generation

12. The Grid Storage Industry Set a Wild Goal for 2025 — And Then Crushed It

13. Video: Small Plug-In Solar Panels Gain Traction as an Affordable Way to Cut Electricity Bills

14. Energy Efficiency Flounders Amid ‘Dominance’ Agenda

15. Sea Lions Keep Eating Salmon in the Columbia River. Some Lawmakers Want to Kill More of Them

16. Forestry Groups Sue WA Over Expanding Buffer Zones Around Non-Fish-Bearing Streams

17. Early Season Snowpack MIA in Washington

18. Trump Administration to Direct More Water to California Farms

19. Governor Appoints Jordan Arnold to Lead Washington State Broadband Office

20. WA State: Richland Sees Proposed Data Center as Key to Locking in $1.5 Billion Fertilizer Plant

21. Oregon Seeks Companies to Build Out Electric Vehicle Fast-Charging Stations on Five Major Roadways

22. Farmer-Led Nonprofit Dam Education Group Builds Audience

23. Pantone Names Its 2026 Color of the Year

24. Video: Hanah Fry - You Won’t Believe the Impact Caroline Haslett Has Had on Your Technology!

25. Trump Says He’ll Sign Executive Order Blocking State Artificial Intelligence Regulations, Despite Safety Fears

26. Mass: Atmospheric River to Bring 10-15 Inches of Rain, Major Flooding to Western Washington Tuesday-Wednesday

27. Oregon’s Weeklong Deluge Will Flood Creeks and Fell Trees, Forecast Warns

28. Flood Watches Hit Pacific Northwest, Polar Vortex Brings Icy Weather East

29. Guest Essay: Soaring Electric Prices, Blackout Threats? Energy Permit Reform Still Needed

30. Guest Essay: If Transparency Matters on Climate Data, Washington State Should Lead by Example

31. Broadband Turkeys of 2025

Word of the Day

Terpsichorean \turp-suhKOR-ee-un\ Adjective - Of or relating to dancing.

Terpsichorean Terrapins Travel to University of Maryland for Cheer Team Tryouts.

Energy & Utility Issues

1. U.S. Energy Secretary Praises Hydropower, Slams Environmental Agenda ‘Climate Craziness’ (Bellingham Herald, WA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/energy-secretary-praises-hydropower-slams-021405172.html

2. Pacific Northwest Residents Worried About Electricity Costs More Than Climate Change, According to Recent Polling (Northwest RiverPartners)

https://energynewsfeed.blogspot.com/2025/12/pacific-northwest-residents-worried.html

3. PacifiCorp, Reeling from Wildfire Liabilities, Aims to Sell Power Line Stake to Related Company (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2025/12/pacificorp-wants-to-sell-its-share-of-300-mile-power-line-to-related-company.html

4. Montana: Public Service Commission: NorthWestern Tried to Evade Scrutiny (News from the States)

https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/public-service-commission-northwestern-tried-evade-scrutiny

5. Washington State Faces Two-Front Challenge to Meet Future Energy Demand (Columbia Basin Herlad, Moses Lake, WA)

https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2025/dec/06/washington-state-faces-two-front-challenge-to-meet-future-energy-demand/

6. Delayed Heating Assistance Kicks Off a Winter of Energy Challenges (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/policy-regulation/heating-assist-winter-energy-prices

7. In the News: The Bonneville Power Administration Helps Put Electrical Grid Safety to the Test (Bonneville Power Administration)

https://www.bpa.gov/about/newsroom/news-articles/20251204-in-the-news-bpa-helps-put-electrical-grid-safety-to-the-test

8. Spark & Dark Spreads Indicate Improved Profitability of Natural Gas, Coal Power Plants (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=66785

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

9. As Washington State’s Coal Ban Looms, Montana Wind Fills Only Some of the Energy Gap (The Chronicle, Centralia, WA)

https://www.chronline.com/stories/as-washington-states-coal-ban-looms-montana-wind-fills-only-some-of-the-energy-gap,392328

10. U.S. Solar Companies Urge Congress to Address Trump’s Solar Permit Freeze (Reuters – Via MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/us-solar-companies-urge-congress-to-address-trump-s-solar-permit-freeze/ar-AA1RJt39

11. U.S. Added 2 GW of Solar in September, Putting 2025 Ahead of 2024 for New Solar Generation (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/solar-gas-nuclear-ferc-infrastructure-report/807053/

12. The Grid Storage Industry Set a Wild Goal for 2025 — And Then Crushed It (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/energy-storage/grid-storage-industry-crushes-2025-goal

13. Video: Small Plug-In Solar Panels Gain Traction as an Affordable Way to Cut Electricity Bills (Public Broadcasting Service)

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/small-plug-in-solar-panels-gain-traction-as-an-affordable-way-to-cut-electricity-bills

Conservation & Efficiency

14. Energy Efficiency Flounders Amid ‘Dominance’ Agenda (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/power-switch/2025/12/04/energy-efficiency-flounders-amid-dominance-agenda-00676417

Fish & Wildlife

15. Sea Lions Keep Eating Salmon in the Columbia River. Some Lawmakers Want to Kill More of Them (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2025/12/sea-lions-keep-eating-the-salmon-in-the-columbia-river-some-lawmakers-want-to-kill-more-of-them.html

Environmental Afflatus – Clean Up on Aisle Three

16. Forestry Groups Sue WA Over Expanding Buffer Zones Around Non-Fish-Bearing Streams (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_441098ff-1d06-4733-b03c-c2545caa687e.html

Water, Water, Anywhere?

17. Early Season Snowpack MIA in Washington (Pacific NW Ag Network)

https://pnwag.net/snowpack-mia-in-wa/

18. Trump Administration to Direct More Water to California Farms (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/california-water-trump-fish-salmon-newsom-839bad92dcd4b14f0e9188519789b054

London Calling –Telecommunications

19. Governor Appoints Jordan Arnold to Lead Washington State Broadband Office (WA Department of Commerce)

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOC/bulletins/3fdeff8

The Wizarding World of Technology & Cybersecurity

20. WA State: Richland Sees Proposed Data Center as Key to Locking in $1.5 Billion Fertilizer Plant (Tri-City Herald, WA – Via MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/richland-sees-proposed-data-center-as-key-to-locking-in-1-5b-fertilizer-plant/ar-AA1RSHcm

I Sing the Car Electric

21. Oregon Seeks Companies to Build Out Electric Vehicle Fast-Charging Stations on Five Major Roadways (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/12/04/oregon-electric-vehicle-fast-charging-roadways/

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

22. Farmer-Led Nonprofit Dam Education Group Builds Audience (Capital Press – Paywall Advisory)

https://capitalpress.com/2025/12/05/farmer-led-nonprofit-dam-education-group-builds-audience/

23. Pantone Names Its 2026 Color of the Year (NBC News)

https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/pantone-names-2026-color-year-rcna247366

Barrel O’ Green Potpourri – Seething Stew of Science

24. Video: Hanah Fry - You Won’t Believe the Impact Caroline Haslett Has Had on Your Technology! (British Broadcasting Corporation)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQVI5zxE9P4

Politics, Governance, and Management

25. Trump Says He’ll Sign Executive Order Blocking State Artificial Intelligence Regulations, Despite Safety Fears (Cable News Network)

https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/08/tech/trump-eo-blocking-ai-state-laws

Other Things to Know About Today

26. Mass: Atmospheric River to Bring 10-15 Inches of Rain, Major Flooding to Western Washington Tuesday-Wednesday (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://mynorthwest.com/kiro-radio/atmospheric-river-8/4170323

27. Oregon’s Weeklong Deluge Will Flood Creeks and Fell Trees, Forecast Warns (Willamette Week, Portland, OR)

https://www.wweek.com/news/environment/2025/12/08/oregons-weeklong-deluge-will-flood-creeks-and-fell-trees-forecast-warns/

28. Flood Watches Hit Pacific Northwest, Polar Vortex Brings Icy Weather East (Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/flood-watches-hit-pacific-northwest-194434386.html

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

29. Guest Essay: Soaring Electric Prices, Blackout Threats? Energy Permit Reform Still Needed (Tri-City Herald, WA – Via MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/soaring-electric-prices-blackout-threats-energy-permit-reform-still-needed-opinion/ar-AA1RI0Jn

30. Guest Essay: If Transparency Matters on Climate Data, Washington State Should Lead by Example (Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/dec/04/jackson-maynard-and-todd-myers-if-transparency-mat/

31. Broadband Turkeys of 2025 (Pots & Pans)

https://potsandpansbyccg.com/2025/12/08/broadband-turkeys-of-2025/

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Arizona Lineman Saves Curious Bear Who Was Nearly Electrocuted Climbing Up a Utility Pole

https://www.whiskeyriff.com/2025/12/02/arizona-lineman-saves-curious-bear-who-was-nearly-electrocuted-climbing-up-a-utility-pole/

Zohran Mamdani & the Louvre Make the List of Most Mispronounced Words of 2025

https://apnews.com/article/mispronounced-words-2025-mamdani-louvre-ad1029eaf43f3f904b39a1dc9d37cca8

British Man’s Garden Shed Hits a Top Speed of 123 MPH

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2025/12/05/Guinness-World-Records-fastest-garden-shed/2511764952892/

World’s Largest Lego Mural Assembled in Switzerland

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2025/12/08/switzerland-Guinness-World-Records-Lego-mural/7821765225587/

Song of the Day

Bee Gees – Words

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvKmh_jWC5c